Exams FAQ

WISEflow was selected following a rigorous review of alternative providers due to its comprehensive functionality and ability to accommodate various types of examinations. It is easy to navigate for candidates, academics, and administrators, and it allows students to see all their exams within a specific exam period. It also offers automated proctoring to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

While Blackboard enabled us to set and host exams remotely, it does not possess the full functionality needed for a long-term online examinations environment strategy.

WISEflow supports a wider range of assessment types.All unseen, timed examinations are delivered on WISEflow. These are referred to as EX, EX-CBE, EX-CS, and EX-OT in the course literature.

WISEflow can deliver these types of examinations:

• FLOWassign: Used for exams where participants submit a PDF file.
• FLOWlock: On-site exams conducted in a secure browser environment, preventing access to external aids. It can also be used without the secure browser lock, allowing students to type their exam answers directly within the WISEflow in-app editor.
• FLOWmulti: Multiple-choice and short answer questions that can be conducted with or without the secure browser.

Exams take place in the weeks listed in the university academic calendar

• For Students

Students will see their exam schedules directly in their personal timetables. Please advise students to regularly check their personal timetables for any updates or changes to ensure they are aware of the latest information.

• For Staff

Staff can find the exam timetables on BREO Staff before the examination period.

Staff can find the exam timetables on BREO Staff before the examination period, and this will detail where exams are taking place. The exam team usually have an exams office near the venue.

The Exams Team will set up your WISEflow account for you.

If you are unable to log into WISEflow, please contact the Exams Team at Exams@beds.ac.uk

To log in to WISEflow please follow these steps:

1. Type into google europe.wiseflow.net/login
2. Click “search for your institution” and type in 'Bed' for Bedfordshire
3. Click the Microsoft button and log in with your university email address (firstname.surname@study.beds.ac.uk).
4. Your password will be the same as the one you use to access BREO. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to perform a Password Reset

Exam papers need to be created, shared, and published on WISEflow six weeks before the examination period.

Using WISEflow ensures the most secure process for handling exam papers.

We request that both main and resit exam papers for the unit are published before the examination period begins. This helps ensure a smooth and organised examination delivery.

Please visit our WISEflow authoring Guide pages

WISEflow offers over 50 different question types for FLOWmulti exam papers. These range from simple multiple-choice questions to complex mathematical evaluations. Some of the key types include:

• Multiple Choice: Single-best answer, multiple response, and matrix questions.
• Fill in the Blanks: Text-based, drag & drop, and dropdown options.
• Written & Recorded: Essay, short text, and audio recorder.
• Classify, Match, Order: Sorting lists, ordering items, and pairing elements.
• Maths: Math essays, formula questions, and graphing.
• Chemistry: Chemical formulae and chemistry essays.
• Other: File uploads, image annotations, and GeoGebra integrations.

For a detailed list and descriptions of all available question types, please visit the WISEflow guide to FLOWmulti question types

Yes, you can randomise questions for FLOWmulti exam papers.

For more information visit our authoring WISEflow guidance page

• For FLOWassign: Students are responsible for saving and submitting their work manually.
• For FLOWlock/FLOWmulti examinations: Any answers written in WISEflow's in-app editor are automatically saved.

If there is an issue with an exam paper please let us know immediately, if the error is identified during the exam, we will be able to restart the examination with the correct exam paper.

All students scheduled to sit an exam in the upcoming examination period are invited to participate in a practice exam on WISEflow.

Communications are sent to encourage students to engage in these practice exams. This allows them to familiarise themselves with the various functionalities and elements of WISEflow before their actual exams.

Some unit coordinators set up mock examinations using WISEflow for their students before the upcoming examination period. If you would like a mock exam to run for your unit, please let the exams team know by emailing exams@beds.ac.uk

WISEflow provides integrated marking tools. Detailed guides and training videos are available on the WISEflow Guidance Marking page

Papers are marked and reviewed in WISEflow. Feedback can also be authored in WISEflow but will only be released to students upon their request as per university regulations.

This is set up by the exams team. You may be approached to provide or confirm this information before each examination period. Please note, external examiners will need to use their University of Bedfordshire email address to review within WISEflow.

All EX (FLOWassign/FLOWlock) scripts go through Turnitin. You will see the similarity report when you log in as a marker or reviewer.

Currently, marks need to be manually entered into SITS.

We are working on an integration project to automate this process.

There will be a review conducted after each examination period. The results will be summarised and published on the intranet after being presented to the Exams Working Group.

The exams team leads on communication about exams in general.

Students can contact exams@beds.ac.uk for any inquiries and visit our student-facing webpages for more information about exams.

• Improving Exam communications

We are committed to ensuring that students feel supported and well-informed throughout the exam process. To achieve this, we have enhanced our communication strategies by regularly updating examination information. This includes:

• Frequent Updates: Providing timely updates on exam timetables, locations, and any changes to the exam process.
• Clear Guidelines: Offering detailed instructions and guidelines on how to prepare for and submit exams as well as opportunities to take practice exams
• Multiple Channels: Utilizing various communication channels such as emails, notifications through the student app, and posters to reach students effectively.
• Support Resources: Making available resources such as FAQs, and ensuring students knowing how to get support during their exams.

If you would like to see our examination communications plan please get in touch with the exams team.

During an On-Campus Exam:

• Students must raise their hand to get the attention of an invigilator.
• Technical Support: Students must inform the invigilator of any technical issues so the exams team can assist.
• Feeling Unwell: Students must raise their hand and ask to speak to the senior invigilator if they feel unwell. The senior invigilator will advise on the next steps.

During an Online Remote Exam:

• Contact Us: Students must email exams@beds.ac.uk as soon as possible to alert the team of any issues. This must be done DURING the exam and not after the upload deadline.
• Timing: Students must be aware that the exam team will be unable to assist after the end of the exam.
• Students should remember: That it is important to monitor their emails for any correspondence from the exams team both during and after the exam to ensure they receive timely assistance and updates.

The exams team provides training and drop-in sessions for staff members using WISEflow.

WISEflow is a role based system and a staff member may have several role, there are guidance pages on the university intranet pages to assist staff members to navigate WISEflow.

Staff are more than welcome to drop an email to exams@beds.ac.uk and to join the University of Bedfordshire Staff exams teams channel for further discussion.

Students will need to:

• Check Their Emails: Links to access your exam are usually sent to their university email address (firstname.surname@study.beds.ac.uk) before the exam is scheduled to start. Student should remember to check their junk folders as sometimes these emails may be marked as spam.
• Log into WISEflow Directly on the day/time of their examination: If they don't receive the email, students can still access their exam by logging into WISEflow directly. By following these steps:

1. Type "europe.wiseflow.net/login" into your browser.
2. Click “Search for your institution” and type in 'Bed' for Bedfordshire.
3. Click the Microsoft button and log in with your university email address (firstname.surname@study.beds.ac.uk).
4. Use the same password you use to access BREO. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to perform a Password Reset.

Students should work with the Disability team at Disability@beds.ac.uk to discuss any exam access arrangements at least six weeks before the exam period.

Once a student has their access arrangements in place before the deadline, the exams team will implement these arrangements for the upcoming examination period.

This ensures that all necessary accommodations are made in a timely manner to support students' needs.

If a student has an access arrangement which includes sitting their exam in a separate exam room, then please advise the student to visit the exams office 30 minutes before the exam start time.

If a student has extra time as part of their access arrangement, then this will be included in their WISEflow exam time.

The exam team would need the following support:

• Unit coordinators to fill in the exam confirmation exercise document to let the exam team know about exam details and marker information.
• To create and publish the main and resit exam papers in WISEflow, six weeks before the examination period.
• To be available on MS Teams, the first 30 minutes of an examination, in case of any time sensitive queries before the start of an exam.